Treatment of low back pain by acupressure and physical therapy: randomised controlled trial

doi:10.1136/bmj.38744.672616.AE

BMJ 2006;332:696-700 (25 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.38744.672616.AE (published 17 February 2006)

Research

Treatment of low back pain by acupressure and physical therapy: randomised controlled trial

Lisa Li-Chen Hsieh, PhD student¹, Chung-Hung Kuo, chief and orthopedist², Liang Huei Lee, attending medical neurologist³, Amy Ming-Fang Yen, assistant professor¹, Kuo-Liong Chien, associate professor¹, Tony Hsiu-Hsi Chen, professor¹

¹ Institute of Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ² Hsin Kao Mei Orthopedic Special Clinic, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ³ Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Correspondence to: Tony Hsiu-Hsi Chen stony{at}episerv.cph.ntu.edu.tw

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure in termsof disability, pain scores, and functional status.

Design Randomised controlled trial.

Setting Orthopaedic clinic in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Participants 129 patients with chronic low back pain.

Intervention Acupressure or physical therapy for one month.

Main outcome measures Self administered Chinese versions ofstandard outcome measures for low back pain (primary outcome:Roland and Morris disability questionnaire) at baseline, aftertreatment, and at six month follow-up.

Results The mean total Roland and Morris disability questionnairescore after treatment was significantly lower in the acupressuregroup than in the physical therapy group regardless of the differencein absolute score (- 3.8, 95% confidence interval - 5.7 to -1.9) or mean change from the baseline (- 4.64, - 6.39 to - 2.89).Acupressure conferred an 89% (95% confidence interval 61% to97%) reduction in significant disability compared with physicaltherapy. The improvement in disability score in the acupressuregroup compared with the physical group remained at six monthfollow-up. Statistically significant differences also occurredbetween the two groups for all six domains of the core outcome,pain visual scale, and modified Oswestry disability questionnaireafter treatment and at six month follow-up.

Conclusions Acupressure was effective in reducing low back painin terms of disability, pain scores, and functional status.The benefit was sustained for six months.

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Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Accupressure & Physical Therapy Design Flaw: Douglas M. White, DPT, OCS
bmj.com, 18 Feb 2006 [Full text]
Re: Accupressure & Physical Therapy Design Flaw: Tony Hsiu-Hsi Chen
bmj.com, 20 Feb 2006 [Full text]
Use of Cognitive re-structuring and Bio-feed back procedures for back pain: Dr S S RAIZ M ISMAIL
bmj.com, 20 Feb 2006 [Full text]
Variability in physical therapy between countries: Andrew Walker
bmj.com, 24 Feb 2006 [Full text]
A patients view: John Madura
bmj.com, 24 Feb 2006 [Full text]
Re: Variability in physical therapy between countries: Tony Hsiu-Hsi Chen
bmj.com, 27 Feb 2006 [Full text]
Re: Re: Accupressure & Physical Therapy Design Flaw: Douglas M. White
bmj.com, 27 Feb 2006 [Full text]
Re: Re: Re: Accupressure & Physical Therapy Design Flaw: Tony Hsiu-Hsi Chen
bmj.com, 2 Mar 2006 [Full text]
No standard PT treatment: Eric Allen
bmj.com, 29 Jun 2006 [Full text]
US Validation of Treatment Program: Randolph J Wagner
bmj.com, 19 Sep 2006 [Full text]
Comment regarding responses: Jay Defigh
bmj.com, 30 Jun 2007 [Full text]